"Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law
EU business, farmers criticise new WTO proposals
Despite optimism from World Trade Organisation officials that new negotiating drafts presented on 19 and 20 May will act as a "springboard" towards achieving a global trade pact, the EU and its major trading partners have reacted cautiously.Think tank warns against EU diplomatic turf wars
The future EU diplomatic service, to be launched with the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, is unlikely to bridge fundamental differences between EU nations when it comes to foreign policy, according to a Swedish think thak.Parliament backs calls for EU anti-discrimination law
The European Parliament has reminded Commission President José Manuel Barroso of his commitment to put forward a directive outlawing discrimination on a whole range of grounds, including disability, age, religion or belief and sexual orientation, as Brussels finalises preparations for a social policy package to be presented in June.Spotlight turns to gas in EU energy battle
The battle over energy liberalisation shifted to the gas sector yesterday (19 May) when Parliament's industry committee threw its weight behind France and Germany in their bid to prevent the forced break-up of large integrated gas groups.Pesticides: EU remains divided on substances
The Slovenian EU Presidency has delayed a key vote on pesticides until June, following a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels yesterday (19 May) that revealed a divergence of views over which substances should be kept off the market.MAIN FOCUS: Green light for human-animal embryos | 20/05/2008
Following heated debate, the British House of Commons has given the green light for the creation of human-animal embryos. Is this a new "Frankenstein science" or a breakthrough for stem cell research? asks the European press.
Gorbachev suggests there might alternatives to EU
A Eurasian union is a viable alternative to the European Union, said the Soviet Union's last head of state in an interview published yesterday. The USSR's last leader, MikhailBritain: Pro-European And Pro-American At Once?
Gordon Brown’s administration, despite its domestic (foremost economic) troubles, has a great foreign policy opportunity, claims Philip Stephens in the Financial Times:
The next year or so offers Britain the best chance in a generation to get its foreign policy right. Whoever wins the White House, the time has come for Britain to rebalance its European and transatlantic relationships. [...]
British agreement on agency workers raises hopes for EU-wide deal
British Press-Freedom Case Involves Anti-Terrorism Law
LONDON, May 20 -- A high-level British court will hear arguments this week in a press-freedom case in which police are attempting to use anti-terrorism laws to force a journalist to turn over notes and other source material.British-French Defense Cooperation Looks Promising
European defense has two problems: The defense spending is much lower than in the US. And in addition, the money is not used as efficiently as in the US, because each EU country has its own military with its own equipment. Therefore, I am pleasantly surprised to read in The Sunday Times (HT: Zyme):
The Irish EU Treaty referendum
Irish voters remain divided over whether to support the EU's latest reform treaty in the upcoming referendum on 12 June. Yet the decision of voters in this small country could alone determine the fate of the Lisbon Treaty for the whole of Europe.Spain's new brand?
A little less macho
PHOTOS of a heavily pregnant defence minister reviewing military troops have been splashed across the Spanish papers for weeks, delivering yet another jolt to traditionalists in a country that has gone through some big adjustments lately. Divorce, gay marriage, now this, the old guard is clucking.[FOCUS] Energy and Climate
[Comment] The EU still needs UN peacekeepers
Brussels to keep control of 'Mediterranean Union'
Unbalanced engine: Germany's economy is firing on all cylinders – for now
The export powerhouse of Europe is defying forecasts of a slowdown but consumers will have to start spending more if its growth is to be sustainedEurope's green calling: a new raison d'être?
 | Bruno Turnheim Associate researcher, Institute of European Studies Vrije Universiteit Brussel French-American |
The European Union is increasingly active on the international scene in promoting global action against climate change. The necessity for strong leadership in a context of international reluctance is clear.
The reasons for the EU's willingness to engage in a first-mover position with such vehemence are less straightforward. Let us have a closer look at them.
A Transatlantic Energy Security Strategy is Essential
Richard G. Lugar: We must forge a more productive relationship with Russia. The absence of a collective energy security strategy and the lack of supply diversification will lead to greater fragmentation among European nations and across the Atlantic.MAIN FOCUS: Riots in South Africa | 21/05/2008
In recent days there have been xenophobic attacks against residents from neighbouring countries in the South African city of Johannesburg. The European press looks at the causes and consequences.
Eurovision song contest: chamber of horrors
